The US Army Chemical Materials Agency notes that an Oregon judge has ruled in favor of continuing incineration of its chemical munitions. Color me unsurprised.
Petitioners had challenged Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality on the approval of a Temporary Authorization Request for the trial burn of mustard agent containing elevated levels of mercury. Petitioners had questioned the use of incineration as the best available technology, claiming other, safer methods were readily available and should be used instead. Petitioners had also alleged that the state agency had allowed the Army to operate in violation of hazardous waste laws, without a Clean Air Act Permit, and without adequate characterization of wastes. Hearings began on Oct. 26, 2009, and, after three days of testimony and argument, Judge Marcus ruled against petitioners on all counts.
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“We are confident in our technology in terms of eliminating the stockpile and in doing so safely and effectively,” said Col. Robert B. Billington, Project Manager for Chemical Stockpile Elimination at the CMA. “Scientifically, our technology continues to withstand these kinds of legal challenges and Judge Marcus’ ruling once again shows that the best available technology is truly in place to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
“Now we can shift our focus out of the courtroom and back to the mission at hand—safe, total and complete elimination of the stockpile and the risk it poses to our communities.”
The next time you wonder why the Army's chem demil program is over budget and behind schedule, take a look at all the failed lawsuits that these idiotic critics of the program have brought forth. Certain members of Congress use these critics to get federal pork in their states, which adds to the waste of time and money. So instead of completing the stockpile destruction by 2012, it's going to extend to beyond 2017 primarily because of the actions of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY).




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